California Permissions

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Urban2212

Urban2212

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Feb 21, 2025
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Oceanside, California, United States
I am interested in getting some local permissions to do pest control on local farms. It is no secret that California is rather unique in its approach to guns and therefore I am apprehensive about how to go about seeking a Permission at a local farm to do pest control. I am open to all ideas of how to find farmers that could benefit from such services and how to initiate contact in a way that isn’t off putting. What benefits might I mention that would appeal to them? Do I need a written contract and what should be included in that contract? Do I charge for pest control? What hours or time frames might I suggest? It seems to me like meeting them in person would be extremely helpful if you had any suggestions on how I could do that. If I get an appointment with a local farmer what type of material and information should I be providing them? I feel certain that there are local farmers that could benefit from some pest control, but how to get an opportunity to present myself as at least some part of the solution is an absolute daunting task to me, and I welcome all suggestions.
 
Search the forum for past posts asking this exact question. I remember a few of them over the years with helpful suggestions about initiating contact with property owners. For me personally it's been mostly word of mouth from owner to owner. I always strive for safety, respect of property, being so unobtrusive & quiet they hardly know I'm there & even though some have told me often to come whenever I want, I NEVER go without making contact first. You might want to print up flyers also. When I did that I stressed I'd do it FREE, how much more humane our method is & the success rate (kill ratio) compared to traps or poison. Some guys initiate contact with a box of donuts or the like. Don't ask for compensation if it'll get your foot in the door. FREE is very appealing! I still don't charge but suggest if they're happy with results & want to help offset pellet costs I won't refuse it but that's only been recently. There's MUCH more involved as I've learned over the years but have just mentioned the basics to you. As far as "hours" that's determined by the prey you'd go after, land owners preference & schedule, etc. There's a LOT to learn to do this the correct & ethical way. Feel free to PM me if you want to pick my brain.
 
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Urban2212 said:
I am interested in getting some local permissions to do pest control on local farms. It is no secret that California is rather unique in its approach to guns and therefore I am apprehensive about how to go about seeking a Permission at a local farm to do pest control. I am open to all ideas of how to find farmers that could benefit from such services and how to initiate contact in a way that isn’t off putting. What benefits might I mention that would appeal to them? Do I need a written contract and what should be included in that contract? Do I charge for pest control? What hours or time frames might I suggest? It seems to me like meeting them in person would be extremely helpful if you had any suggestions on how I could do that. If I get an appointment with a local farmer what type of material and information should I be providing them? I feel certain that there are local farmers that could benefit from some pest control, but how to get an opportunity to present myself as at least some part of the solution is an absolute daunting task to me, and I welcome all suggestions.
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Nut shell version, you can't do it for money, IF you do then you have to have a license and be bound by the rules and regulations. You need to do the research on this forum for what powers work for what, you don't want to go punching holes in their buildings or damaging property or livestock. You don't give a location so it's hard to point you somewhere or hook you up with a local air gunner. I work the local Horseman's Association.
 
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Urban2212 said:
I am interested in getting some local permissions to do pest control on local farms. It is no secret that California is rather unique in its approach to guns and therefore I am apprehensive about how to go about seeking a Permission at a local farm to do pest control. I am open to all ideas of how to find farmers that could benefit from such services and how to initiate contact in a way that isn’t off putting. What benefits might I mention that would appeal to them? Do I need a written contract and what should be included in that contract? Do I charge for pest control? What hours or time frames might I suggest? It seems to me like meeting them in person would be extremely helpful if you had any suggestions on how I could do that. If I get an appointment with a local farmer what type of material and information should I be providing them? I feel certain that there are local farmers that could benefit from some pest control, but how to get an opportunity to present myself as at least some part of the solution is an absolute daunting task to me, and I welcome all suggestions.
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You may need a hunting license depending on what you will be pesting for.
You can find more information on the California Fish and Game in the following link.

Fishing and Hunting Regulations

Fishing, hunting and other regulations
wildlife.ca.gov

To get access to private land I've used the following Entry Permit which I got it also from the California Fish and Game website.

Hopefully this helps.
 
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HogKiller said:
Nut shell version, you can't do it for money, IF you do then you have to have a license and be bound by the rules and regulations. You need to do the research on this forum for what powers work for what, you don't want to go punching holes in their buildings or damaging property or livestock. You don't give a location so it's hard to point you somewhere or hook you up with a local air gunner. I work the local Horseman's Association.
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I guess it's time to start doing my homework regarding a pest control license? I live in Oceanside, CA which is along the coast in North San Diego county. It is a highly populated area and in general California can be divided into two main areas, the highly populated area along the coast and the rural area inland which is much more forgiving regarding gun ownership and usage. I personally work as a security guard and carry a firearm as well as having go my concealed carry permit this month after a two year long application process.
 
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Echo said:
You may need a hunting license depending on what you will be pesting for.
You can find more information on the California Fish and Game in the following link.

Fishing and Hunting Regulations

Fishing, hunting and other regulations
wildlife.ca.gov

To get access to private land I've used the following Entry Permit which I got it also from the California Fish and Game website.

Hopefully this helps.
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Thanks I will look into it.
 
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Leo C said:
If you are not making money from this and are only helping farm owners for free to clear out pests like rats, wild rabbits, and pigeons, then you do not need a license—only the farm owner’s permission is required.
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That is exactly what I am interested in. I noticed that all of the YouTube videos shooting rats on farms involve inferred or some type of night vision. I looked into it a little and was shocked by the cost of such a scope, even an IR clip on is really expensive!
 
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Urban2212 said:
That is exactly what I am interested in. I noticed that all of the YouTube videos shooting rats on farms involve inferred or some type of night vision. I looked into it a little and was shocked by the cost of such a scope, even an IR clip on is really expensive!
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The DNT's are very nice and not a bank breaker, get the one with range finder and Ballistic Calculator. I'd stay as far away from a state license as I could get. If I'm not mistaken, CA has a thing about lead. I've tried some non lead pellets, they aren't too bad up close, say 25 yards, haven't tried them further out.
 
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Urban2212 said:
I am interested in getting some local permissions to do pest control on local farms.
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Here in central Ca. I used to go nighttime rat hunting quite often…. If you have access to a boat, canoe or kayak there are a boatload (pun intended) of places you can go to without worrying about “permission”… probably need a hunting license though… I haven’t hunted in years so I’m not current on the regulations.
 
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HogKiller said:
The DNT's are very nice and not a bank breaker, get the one with range finder and Ballistic Calculator. I'd stay as far away from a state license as I could get. If I'm not mistaken, CA has a thing about lead. I've tried some non lead pellets, they aren't too bad up close, say 25 yards, haven't tried them further out.
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Excellent point You are saying by getting a permission from a private party in private land I avoid all the regulatory traps and hurdles.
 
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SpindleB said:
Not so much, these type are a bit less accurate but they do work

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Wow! This is the first time I have seen any nightvision under $100. It is a little mysterious to me why that is given all the security cameras offering night vision for under $50. I wonder how accurate this is? I'm guessing that it is a large leap between seening night vision vs. zeroing a scope accurately with night vision. Have you used this product or have anymore insight on nightvision scopes? It seems like it is almost a requirement to effectively hunt rats on a farm.
 
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Urban2212 said:
Wow! This is the first time I have seen any nightvision under $100. It is a little mysterious to me why that is given all the security cameras offering night vision for under $50. I wonder how accurate this is? I'm guessing that it is a large leap between seening night vision vs. zeroing a scope accurately with night vision. Have you used this product or have anymore insight on nightvision scopes? It seems like it is almost a requirement to effectively hunt rats on a farm.
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You will need to go center body mass.
You end up moving the cross hairs on the screen. So it could be anywhere on the screen. Which is weird since we are used to looking at the center of our FOV.
 
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Urban2212 said:
Excellent point You are saying by getting a permission from a private party in private land I avoid all the regulatory traps and hurdles.
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Yep, to the best of my knowledge, as long as you don't accept payment, you aren't a 'business'. That's not saying you don't have to be careful. In my case I have to be VERY careful, I'm actually shooting towards a road, slightly elevated but there are still vehicles/bicycles. One of the reasons I like having a spotter to let me know when it's clear.
 
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